UNITED STATES AND CANADA 177 



controversies always do. (Laughter.) Neither 

 side, probably, fully appreciated the strength of the 

 arguments that might be brought forward by the 

 other. It was only the anxious desire of all of us 

 to cement and confirm the friendly relations be- 

 tween Great Britain and the United States that 

 encouraged us to pursue our labours. 



The result of those labours is now before you. It 

 is submitted not to the impassioned prejudices of 

 partisans, but to the calm and sober judgment and 

 the common-sense and reason, and above all to the 

 friendly feelings of the peoples of both countries. 

 (Loud applause.) I have seen this Treaty de- 

 nounced as a surrender. It is rather an interesting 

 fact that on the same day I received a copy of an 

 important newspaper published in Canada which 

 denounced our Agreement as an abject betrayal of all 

 the rights of Canada, and at the same time I read 

 an article in an influential organ published in New 

 York, which declared that the humiliation of the 

 United States was now complete (laughter), that 

 there had been a cowardly betrayal — a cowardly 

 abandonment — of all the claims and contentions of 

 this country. 



It may appear to you at first sight that these views 

 are conflicting and inconsistent. (Laughter.) But, 

 gentlemen, that would be a hasty judgment. 

 (Laughter.) They are absolutely consistent in this, 

 that they are the views of the organs of the oppo- 

 sitions to the respective Governments which are 

 answerable for the Treaty. (Loud laughter and 

 much cheering.) 



M 



